Eagles send DT Sopoaga to Patriots in trade

FILE - In this Oct. 20, 2013, file photo, Dallas Cowboys running back Joseph Randle (21) is stopped by Philadelphia Eagles nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga (97) during the first half of an NFL football game in Philadelphia. The New England Patriots acquired Sopoaga from the Eagles Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2013, along with a sixth-round pick in 2014 for a fifth-rounder next year. The 32-yar-old Sopoaga helps replace Pro Bowl nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who is out for the season. (AP Photo/Michael Perez, File)

PHILADELPHIA — The ink hadn’t dried on the fat contract Isaac Sopoaga signed when he stunned new head coach Chip Kelly and almost everyone at the news conference by saying the Eagles would “shock the world.”

And he was right. But it only lasted for the opener.

The shocker is the Eagles found just a sliver of trade value in Sopoaga, who had almost nothing left in the tank. Sopoaga played 47 snaps without being credited with a tackle Sunday in the loss to the Giants.

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The Eagles shipped “Soap,” as teammates affectionately called him and a sixth-round pick to the Patriots for a fifth-round pick next spring. Every little bit could help the Birds move up to draft a quarterback.

What made the Patriots so desperate to do the deal was their loss of all-world nose tackle Vince Wilfork to a torn Achilles’ tendon. Sopoaga has big shoes to fill.

Sopoaga was credited with 10 tackles in eight games with the Eagles after signing a three-year $11 million contract with the Eagles, including $3.75 million guaranteed.

The Eagles will have no problem finding takers for Sopoaga’s snaps. Clifton Geathers, Bennie Logan and Damion Square could get more time up front. The undrafted Square barely has played this season.

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With Michael Vick shelved indefinitely due to hamstring issues, the Eagles are nearing the point where the remaining leaders must step up.

Wide receiver DeSean Jackson wants to be part of the group.

“I think guys just have to take responsibility regardless of who it is,” Jackson said after practice Tuesday. “Vick of course has been a leader of the team. And even though he’s not playing he’s still a leader. Guys in the offense, Jason Avant is another guy. Jason Peters and myself. Just continue to stick together when times are hard.”

Avant seemed puzzled with the call to provide more leadership.

“There’s really no question as far as can you be more of a leader,” Avant said. “You’re either a leader or you’re not. And what do you mean, leader? As far as stepping up and talking more? No, because when you’re talking you don’t form your leadership. Your leadership is in vain. Example has always been the best form of leadership for me personally, when it’s time to say something what makes my words mean something is what I do first.”

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The Eagles’ roster is loaded with native Californians.

Quarterback Matt Barkley (Santa Ana) grew up six hours south of Oakland, where the Eagles play Sunday, off Route 5.

Six hours and change south of Oakland are running back Chris Polk (Redlands) and long snapper Jon Dorenbos (Garden Grove).

NOTES

Polk (shoulder) didn’t practice … Eagles running back LeSean McCoy still leads the NFL with 733 rush yards with 1,017 scrimmage yards, tops in the NFC … The Raiders are 3-0 at home with Terrelle Pryor starting at quarterback. Pryor is 43 of 66 passing (65.2 percent) for 435 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and an 81.3 rating. His 93-yard rushing TD last week broke Bo Jackson’s record (92) for longest rush by a Raider.